JP2002119357A - Bending link mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a mechanism with good appearance to elastically support a backrest by equipping a pair of bending link elements and placing the mechanism on a position appeared on the chair main body. SOLUTION: A housing space 51d is formed in a part of a first link element 5. A coil spring S is placed in between both link elements 51, 52 positioned in the housing space 51d. Thus the coil spring S is deformed in the housing space 51d to accumulate elastic force when a part between both link elements 51, 52 is bent.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bending link mechanism which can be suitably used as a mechanical part for supporting a movable portion of furniture.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, various kinds of chairs have been developed and used. Recently, as a part of such diversification of chairs, there has been considered a chair in which the back is constituted by an upper frame, a lower frame, and an upholstery extending between upper and lower frames.

[0003]

The chair in which a part of the chair is movable has a basic function of tilting the back and a function of locking the seat. When these functions are to be applied to a chair having an upholstered type back, a link element that supports the back seat in a rockable manner and a link element that supports the back in a tiltable manner via an upper frame are included. Will be needed.

[0004] However, since these link elements need to have a movable margin, they are arranged at positions that appear in the appearance of the chair. Therefore, if they are designed casually, the appearance of the chair will be impaired. . In particular, the link element that supports the back tiltably via the upper frame,
It is placed in a conspicuous position, and it must provide the elasticity necessary for the back to return from the backward tilt position. Therefore, how to incorporate the elastic body and how to arrange the link element for back tilting and the link element for rocking relatively are important keys in configuring the entire chair with good appearance. .

[0005] The present invention is based on such a chair.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a folding link mechanism which can be suitably applied to various kinds of furniture which need to appropriately support a movable part with good appearance under the same circumstances.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following measures.

That is, the bending link mechanism of the present invention includes a pair of foldable link elements and is disposed at a position that appears on the exterior of the furniture main body to elastically support the movable portion of the furniture main body. An accommodation space is formed in a part of the link element, and an elastic body is arranged between the two link elements while being positioned in the accommodation space. When the link elements are bent, the elastic body is placed in the accommodation space. , So that elastic force can be accumulated.

With such a configuration, when the present invention is applied to a portion that supports the movable portion while changing the cross angle of one link element with respect to the other link element, an elastic body is formed on the link element. Can be stored in the storage space and not exposed to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately support the operation of the movable unit without impairing the appearance of the furniture, and to provide the movable unit with an effective restoration function.

In order to sufficiently apply the elastic force, a coil spring is employed as the elastic body, and the coil spring is disposed in the link element so that the axial direction substantially matches the longitudinal direction of the link element. It is desirable to keep.

[0010] In order to effectively prevent the appearance of the furniture from being complicated by exposing the two link elements uncoordinately, the main parts appearing in the appearance of the two link elements must be continuously seen when not folded. It is preferable to be configured so as to exhibit an upper single link shape.

In order to improve the convenience of installation, it is effective to provide the accommodation space so as to open downward.

In a specific embodiment, one of the link elements is rotatably supported at one end, and the other link element is not bent when one of the link elements rotates. And a mode in which the first link element is rotated integrally with the other link element when the first link element is prohibited from rotating. Are constituted.

As a specific example of application to a chair having such a configuration, a back seat of a chair, which is a movable portion, is supported by one link element so as to be rockable, and a chair, which is a movable portion, is supported by the other link element. One in which the back is tiltably supported.

[0014] In particular, in such a configuration, the back comprises an upper frame, a lower frame, and an upholstery stretched between these upper and lower frames, and the other link element can tilt the back through the upper frame. It is effective in the case of supporting.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a chair 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. This chair 1 basically includes a leg provided with a base leg 2 and a support base 3 and a seat 4 and a back 5 supported by the support base 3. As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, it has at least a back seat locking function for locking the seat 4 and the back 5 in conjunction with each other, and a back tilt function for tilting only the upper part of the back 5.

To describe each part in detail, the support base 3 is of a long shape, and the lower end thereof is fitted to the upper end of a column constituting the base leg 2 and is disposed so as to extend obliquely forward. .

The seat 4 is formed by mounting a cushion or the like on a frame-shaped seat receiver 4a.

The back 5 has an upper frame 5m and a lower frame 5
n, and upholstery 5b stretched between these upper and lower frames 5m and 5n.
Has a shape that rises continuously from the trailing edge. The backrest surface is provided with cushioning properties by utilizing the tension of the tension member 5b.

Next, a configuration for realizing each of the above functions will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the back seat locking function is such that the back 5 and the seat 4 are moved to a normal use position (shown in FIG. 1) where the seat surface 4b is substantially horizontal, and the seat surface 4b is A function of tilting and moving in conjunction with a last tilting position (shown in FIG. 2), wherein a four-sided link-shaped locking interposed between the support base 3, the back 5 and the seat 4. The function is realized using the mechanism K1.

As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the locking mechanism K1 functions as the lower link member 6a for the support 3, the upper link member 6b for the seat 4a, and the rear link member 6c for the lower support 5c. At the same time, a dedicated front link member 6d is arranged between the front ends of the support base 3 and the seat support 4a, and the ends of these four link members 6a to 6d are rotatable via the support shafts t1 to t4. Combine
Each connection point forms an inequilateral quadrilateral in side view.

In this embodiment, a locking operation switching mechanism K2 for switching the locking mechanism K1 between an operable state and an inoperable state is provided. The locking operation switching mechanism K2 is configured by using a gas spring GS1 that can be switched between an elastic free state and a locked state in which the length is fixed. One end of the gas spring GS1 is supported by a support base 3. And the other end is rotatably connected to a portion of the front link member 6d that is deviated from the point of connection with the support base 3. In the present embodiment, the gas spring GS1
Is free, a force to move the front link member 6d forward is exerted on the front link member 6d by the extension force, and the back 5 and the seat 4 are moved.
Are biased forward. Further, the switching between the locked state and the free state of the gas spring GS1 can be performed through an operation lever (not shown) provided on the side of the chair. , 5 and the seat 4 can be switched to an inoperative state in which the back 5 and the seat 4 can be fixed at a desired angle.

The back tilting function is such that only the upper part of the back 5 stands up in a first posture (shown in FIG. 1) and a second posture in which it is tilted most backward with respect to the seating surface 4b (shown in FIG. 3). And a function that can be tilted between the two, and is realized by the back tilting mechanism K3. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the back tilting mechanism K3 mainly includes an upper supporting portion 5d which is tiltably provided with the lower supporting portion 5c as a foothold. Is formed mainly along the portion corresponding to the backrest surface, and the upper frame 5
m. Specifically, the lower supporting portion 5c is mainly composed of a pair of left and right first link elements 51, and the upper supporting portion 5d is mainly composed of a pair of left and right second link elements 52. The element 51 is rotatably supported by the support base 3 via the support shaft t2 extending at the base end horizontally and horizontally as described above, while the second link element 52 is illustrated in FIGS. As described above, the base end is rotatably connected to the first link element 51 via the support shaft t5 extending horizontally and horizontally. More specifically, the first link element 51
Has a slit 51a opening at the distal end thereof at the distal end thereof, and a projecting wall 52a provided at the base end of the second link element 52 between the outer wall 51b and the inner wall 51c defined through the slit 51a. And the inner wall 51c of the first link element 51 and the protruding wall 52a of the second link element 52, which are higher than the outer wall 51b, are connected to each other via the support shaft t5. The setting portion of the support shaft t5 is between the support shafts t1 and t2 constituting the four-side link mechanism K1, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the back is tilted backward by the back tilting function. In this case, the back 5 is seated by the tilting center (t5) of the back 5 and the back seat locking function.
Is different from the tilt center (t2) of the back 5 when tilted backward.

The first link element 51 has a receiving space 51d having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the bottom, and this receiving space 51d is open downward and in the slit 51a. Then, the retainer 51e1 provided at one end is pressed against the inner end of the first link element 51 in the accommodation space 51d, and the axial direction substantially matches the longitudinal direction of the first link element 51 to accommodate the coil spring S1. Then, a support shaft t6 that penetrates a protruding piece 52b provided below the protruding wall 52a of the second link element 52 is inserted into a retainer 51e2 on the other end side of the coil spring S1. Then, when the second link element 52 rotates so as to bend with respect to the first link element 51 with the support shaft t5 as a fulcrum, the coil spring S1 moves in the housing space 51d as shown in FIG. It deforms in the compression direction so that elastic force can be accumulated.

The main parts appearing on the exterior of the two link elements 51 and 52, that is, the outer wall 51 of the first link element 51
The b and the outer wall 52c of the second link element 52 are configured so as to be continuous in an L-shape and have an apparently single link shape when not in the bent state. At that time, the adjacent boundary portion between the outer walls 51b and 52c of the link elements 51 and 52 has edges 51b1 cut obliquely with respect to the axial direction.
52c1 is provided in parallel with a small gap therebetween, and when the second link element 52 rotates in the bending direction with the support shaft t5 as a fulcrum from a non-bending state that is linearly continuous with the first link element 51 In addition, interference between the outer walls 51b and 52c is avoided.

As described above, in the chair of the present embodiment, the first link element 51 supports the chair back 5 and the seat 4 so as to be rockable, and the second link element 52 connects the chair back 5 to the upper frame 5.
It is supported to be tiltable via m. In this embodiment, the second link element 52 rotates integrally with the first link element 51 as shown in FIG. 2 while maintaining the state where the second link element 52 is not bent when the first link element 51 rotates. In order to selectively take a mode of locking and a mode of back tilting in which the first link element 51 is rotated in a direction to bend as shown in FIG. 3 when the rotation of the first link element 51 is prohibited. A tilting operation switching mechanism K4 is provided.

The back-tilt operation switching mechanism K4 is connected to the lower support 5 of the second link element 52 constituting the upper support 5d.
This switches between a state in which the rotation of the first link element 51 constituting c is prohibited and a state in which the rotation is permitted. Specifically, the first link element 51 and the second link element 52 deviate from the support shaft t5, and are recessed portions 5c1 as shown in FIG. 5d1 are provided,
When the pin 7 is inserted between c1 and 5d1, it becomes inoperable, and when the pin 7 is removed, it becomes operable.

The pin 7 is connected to each of the through holes 5d1, 5c1.
When the operation is impossible in which the back 5 cannot be tilted, the locking operation is enabled through the opening and closing operation of the gas spring GS1, and the pin 7 comes out of the through hole 5d1 of the second link element 5d. In the operable state in which the back 5 can be tilted, the locking operation is prohibited by closing the gas spring GS1.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the folding link mechanism K5 is constituted by the pair of bendable link elements 51 and 52, and is arranged at a position appearing on the exterior of the chair body to function as a mechanical component of the chair 1. Things. The accommodation space 51 is provided in a part of the first link element 51.
The coil spring S1 is formed between the two link elements 51 and 52 by positioning the coil spring S1 between the two link elements 51 and 52, and the coil spring S1 is placed in the storage space 51d when the link elements 51 and 52 are bent. In such a manner, the elastic force is accumulated in the direction in which the bent state is eliminated by deformation.

As described above, the bending link mechanism K5 according to the present embodiment supports the back 5 which is a movable portion while the crossing angle of the second link element 52 with respect to the first link element 51 changes. In the present embodiment, the coil spring S1 is housed in the housing space 51d formed in the first link element 51 so as not to be exposed to the outside. The tilting operation can be appropriately supported, and at the same time, the back 5 can be provided with an effective restoring function for standing in the first posture.

In particular, as described above, the coil spring S1 is employed as an elastic body for erecting the back 5, and the coil spring S1 is arranged such that its axial direction substantially coincides with the longitudinal direction of the first link element 51. Since the coil spring S1 is accommodated in the first link element 51, an appropriate length can be given to the coil spring S1 within a range not exceeding the longitudinal dimension of the first link element 51, and a sufficient elastic force can be secured.

The main parts appearing on the external appearance of the two link elements 51 and 52, that is, the outer wall 51 of the first link element 51
Since the b and the outer wall 52c of the second link element 52 are configured so as to have a seemingly single link shape continuously when not in the bent state, the two link elements are exposed uncoordinately and the chair is exposed. Can be effectively avoided from being complicated.

At this time, since the housing space 51d is provided so as to be opened downward, the coil spring S2 can be easily mounted from below, and the convenience of installation can be effectively improved.

In particular, in the chair of this embodiment, the first link element 51 is rotatably supported at one end, and the second link element 52 is bent when the first link element 51 rotates. And the first link element 51 is rotated integrally with the first link element 51 while the first link element 51 is not rotated.
Since it is configured to be able to selectively take a mode of rotating in a direction to bend with respect to 1, the back 5 and the seat 4 of the chair 1 are rockably supported via the first link element 51, The back 5 of the chair 1 via the two link elements 52
Is supported in such a manner that the locking function and the back tilting function are appropriately compatible with each other.

In particular, the chair of this embodiment has the back 5
An upper frame 5m, a lower frame 5n, and an upholstery 5b stretched between the upper and lower frames 5m and 5n.
The second link element 52 is largely exposed to the side because the back 5 is tiltably supported via the. Therefore, the effect of apparently integrating the second link element 52 with the first link element 51 is particularly large.

The specific configuration of each part is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, both the first link element and the second link element are movable. However, for example, the first link element is completely fixed, and the second link element is movable with respect to the first link element. Mounting in such a manner is also included in the present invention.

[0038]

The present invention is embodied in the form described above and has the following effects.

That is, in the folding link mechanism of the present invention, a pair of foldable link elements are arranged at positions that appear on the exterior of the furniture main body to elastically support the movable portion of the furniture main body. An accommodation space is formed in a part of the link element, and an elastic body is accommodated in the accommodation space. When the link element is bent, the elastic body is deformed in the accommodation space to accumulate elastic force. It is something that can be done.

For this reason, the elastic body is suitably concealed in the link element to prevent the appearance of the furniture from being damaged, and the movable part is appropriately supported under a state in which the movable part can be restored using the action of the elastic body. Becomes possible.

In particular, when a coil spring is employed as the elastic body and the coil spring is accommodated in the link element, the axial direction is substantially aligned with the longitudinal direction of the link element. Can be prevented from protruding from the link element even if is relatively long, which is extremely effective as a method of increasing the elastic force without deteriorating the appearance.

Further, if the main parts appearing in the external appearance of both link elements are constituted so as to have an apparently single link shape continuously when they are not in the bent state, they are arranged disjointly. Compared to the case, it is possible to make the appearance of furniture uniform and cohesive.

By adopting a structure that opens downward in the housing space, the convenience of incorporating the elastic body can be effectively improved.

As a specific embodiment, one of the rotatable link elements is rotated integrally with the other link element while maintaining the unfolded state;
If it is configured to be able to selectively take a mode of rotating in a direction of bending with respect to one link element, it is extremely effective as a support means for a chair having a back seat locking function and a back tilt function Becomes

In particular, in such a configuration, the back includes an upper frame, a lower frame, and an upholstery stretched between these upper and lower frames, and the other link element can tilt the back via the upper frame. When applied to a chair that supports the above, a high effect can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic overall side view showing a chair according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic overall side view showing another state of the chair in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic overall side view showing still another state of the chair in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an essential part exploded perspective view showing a relationship between a first link element and a second link element in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partial bottom view showing a relationship between a first link element and a second link element in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a partial side view showing a relationship between a first link element and a second link element in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Chair 4 ... Movable part (seat) 5 ... Movable part (back) 5b ... Upholstery 5m ... Upper frame 5n ... Lower frame 51 ... 1st link element 51d ... Housing space 52 ... 2nd link element K5 ... Bending link mechanism S: Elastic body (coil spring)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A furniture comprising a pair of foldable link elements, which is disposed at a position appearing on the exterior of a furniture main body to elastically support a movable portion of the furniture main body. An accommodating space is formed, an elastic body is disposed between the link elements positioned in the accommodating space, and when the link elements are bent, the elastic body deforms in the accommodating space and accumulates elastic force. A bending link mechanism characterized in that the bending link mechanism is configured to obtain the bending link mechanism. 2. The bending link mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body is a coil spring arranged so that an axial direction thereof substantially coincides with a longitudinal direction of the link element. 3. The folding link mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the main parts appearing in the external appearance of both link elements are configured to have an apparently single link shape continuously when not in the bent state. . 4. The folding link mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the accommodation space is open downward. 5. One link element is rotatably supported on one end side, and the other link element maintains one of the two link elements in an unfolded state when the one link element rotates. Claims are configured to be able to selectively take a mode of rotating integrally with the link element and a mode of rotating in a direction to bend with respect to one link element when rotation of one link element is prohibited. 1,
5. The bending link mechanism according to 2, 3, or 4. 6. One of the link elements rotatably supports a back seat of a chair which is a movable portion, and the other link element supports a back of a chair which is a movable portion so as to be tiltable with respect to the seat. The folding link mechanism according to claim 5. 7. The back comprises an upper frame, a lower frame, and an upholstery stretched between the upper and lower frames, and the other link element can tilt the back via the upper frame. 7. The bending link mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the bending link mechanism is supported by the bending link mechanism.